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IT'S ALL ABOUT SAFETY, STUPID
By Mark Andrew Dwyer - 2/13/03
Rep. Gill Cedillo is going to re-introduce his bill that would de facto mandate issuing California driver's licenses to illegal aliens. His rationale goes like this.
Undocumented migrant workers, most of them from Mexico, come to the United States to find a job and improve the lives of theirs and their families. Usually, they don't have the required immigration documentation, which technicality prevents them from applying for California driver's license (this is why they are called the "undocumented"). Once in the U.S., they have to drive to work, to buy groceries, to transport their kids to school, to collect benefits that they may be eligible for, and - perhaps - to visit their families in Mexico during the holidays. Driving without a valid driver's license, though, makes them very unsafe drivers. They cannot buy a liability insurance. They have to flee the scene after causing an accident out of fear of being unfairly prosecuted. And all this artificial illegality makes them feel unlawful (we must remember that no human being is illegal), so they are more likely to speed, disobey traffic regulations, or even to drive under the influence.
The situation would dramatically improve should they be given a chance to apply for California's driver's license. First, they would be tested regarding their knowledge of traffic regulations and driving skills. And, of course, those who flanked the DMV test would realize how unsafe they are and not attempt to drive anymore. This fact alone would make California highways so much safer. Second, those who got their driver's licenses would rush to get a car insurance. It's kinda expensive, but the California law mandates it. So, once they are not illegal drivers anymore, they will certainly obey the law and buy one. And from this point on they will always drive safely ever after and never flee the scene of the accident. (Rep. Cedillo may wish to remember to introduce a follow-up bill that would close a loophole and prohibit deportation of illegal aliens who, perhaps under the influence, caused accidents with serious damage to the property or bodily injury or death but did not flee the scene. That would make us all even safer.)
It's very logical. We, Americans, are very concerned with safety, and are certainly moved with Rep. Cedillo's tremendous contributions in that area. We wish Federal legislators could follow his example. Take, for instance, border crossing. Few years ago, Mexican undocumented immigrants could just sneak through the Mexican-Californian border in vicinity of San Diego. That was kinda convenient, and they were not hurting anyone. Recently, some xenophobia driven freaks built a fence over there, thus forcing poor Mexicans to cross the border in relatively unsafe areas of Arizona and New Mexico. This regrettable action has led to many accidents, even deaths. Concerned citizens were trying to supply undocumented Mexican immigrants with water and medical care, but it's only as much they could do. So, someone in Washington (perhaps Rep. Grijalva, D-Arizona?) should introduce a Safe Border Crossing bill that would mandate construction of well-lit passages through the American-Mexican border. The passages should be supplied with water, basic food, first aid essentials, and telephones for an emergency use. I know that this may be difficult to accomplish in one sit-up, but DMV representatives should also consider issuing driver's licenses to undocumented Mexicans right at the end of these safe passages.
After all, it's all about safety.
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